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International Space Station Update
News story originally written on May 26, 1998

The building of the International Space Station (ISS) has been delayed. Russia hasn't been able to finish the service module for the station. Apparently, Russia needs to come up with $70 million so that construction can start.

As things stand now, construction is likely to be postponed until November of 1998 (one year later than planned). A Russian rocket would transport the control chamber from Kazakstan on November 20. The Space shuttle Endeavour would then follow on December 3 with the second component, a connecting passageway named Unity. The third piece, the Russian service module, is supposed to be completed in time for a spring 1999 launch. NASA is still hoping that a crew will be on board by next summer.

The ISS construction will take place over the span of at least five years. Sixteen countries are participating with an expected total contribution into the tens of billions of dollars!

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